Proposed Improvement of Sewage Management at Nature's Valley
The Bitou Municipality and especially the Nature’s Valley Residents Association (NVRA) have for many years been concerned about the potential of sewage generated in the town polluting local ground and surface water. The risk to human health associated with using the Groot River lagoon increases during the peak holiday seasons when the conservancy and septic tanks are prone to being overloaded and the lagoon is used extensively for contact recreation.
A number of technical and environmental investigations to determine the status, causes, and potential solutions to prevent/ limit pollution have been commissioned by the Bitou Municipality, and the former Plettenberg Bay Municipality. As part of these studies, a number of groundwater sampling well points and water sampling points in the township and lagoon have been established. Furthermore, the Sewage Subcommittee of the NVRA have played a proactive role in trying to understand, research and resolve the challenge of sewage management in the town. Ninham Shand Consulting Services’ Environmental Department (Ninham Shand) was appointed by the Bitou Municipality to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including a public participation process, to assess the most suitable options for the improved treatment and disposal of sewage in Nature’s Valley.
Current Project Phase
The final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was submitted to the DEADP on 1 August 2008. Because of the lengthy period between the Draft EIR comment period and the submission of the Final EIR, registered I&APs have been afforded a further opportunity to review and comment on relevant EIA documentation. Any new comments received will be captured and responded to in a final Comments and Response Table, which will be submitted to D:EA&DP. Copies of the Final EIR are available for your review and comment at the Nature’s Valley Trust Office in Lagoon Drive and below. Additional comments should be submitted to John Foord / Michael Mangnall and copied to Francois Naude at D:EA&DP (Fax: 044 874 2423, E-mail: fnaude@pgwc.gov.za) on or before 06 September 2008.
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